"At least 23 people died and 161 others were injured," it said quoting local government officials.

Liangping county was hit by a tornado and hailstorm, leaving six people dead and another 34 injured. Seventeen people died and 127 people were injured in Dianjiang county, according to rough statistics.

The municipal government has begun to carry out an emergency plan and started relief work. Officials were working to tally the number of dead and injured, as well as the number of homes damaged.

The injured people were being rushed to nearby hospitals while tents were being set up for those whose homes were destroyed.